11-year-old shot twice in three days in drive-by shootings, Washington police say

An 11-year-old boy was shot twice in less than 72 hours, Washington police said on Tuesday.

Yakima police responded to a drive-by shooting at a home twice in three days, police said. On Saturday night, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the leg. Early Tuesday morning, he was struck again in the leg, police said.

“This time, the same 11-year-old boy was struck again by gunfire in the leg and his 9-year-old sister suffered two gunshot wounds to her leg,” Yakima police said in a news release. “Both were treated and released from the hospital earlier today.”

More than 60 shell casings were at the scene of the second shooting, according to police. Investigators are unsure why the family is being targeted with the violence.

“This level of violence is heart wrenching and alarming,” Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray said in the news release. “The police department’s top priority is the reduction of violent crime – and these incidents are a glaring example of why. But this is a community issue and we need the community’s help to solve it and prevent further violence.”